Experts are warning that the once mighty glaciers of Austria could almost completely disappear in the foreseeable future due to climate change.
In order to save even a small part of the ice masses, the global temperature increase would have to be limited to 1.5 degrees Celsius,according to a study by an Austrian-British research team published in the journal The Cryosphere on Thursday.
Five glaciers completely disappeared in the Ötztal and Stubaitalregions between 2006 and 2017.
A temperature increase of 2.7 degrees is currently expected. "The window of opportunity is closing very quickly," said co-author Fabien Maussion from the Universities of Bristol and Innsbruck.
The researchers' prognosis refers to glaciers in the province of Tyrol. However, the results can be applied to the whole of Austria ,according to the study.
"We are watching the glaciers disappear. Ice remnants that no longer have any flow movement or a feeding area are actually no longer glaciers. They are called dead ice," said a researcher from theInstitute for Interdisciplinary Mountain Research at the Austrian Academy of Sciences (ÖAW).
Glaciers are crucial freshwater reservoirs for Austria, releasing vital water that feeds its rivers and lakes. This supply is not only integral for drinking water but also supports the agricultural sector through irrigation.
In addition to freshwater, these glaciers are a cornerstone of Austria's energy infrastructure. Hydropower accounts for a substantial amount of the country's electricity generation, and the consistent water flow from melting glaciers is essential for maintaining operational efficiency of hydropower plants, particularly during periods of low precipitation. —dpa
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